Hi all,

I own a 1993 spi Cooper in Brg and want to know what the opinions are of Ausmini members as to which LOOKS best not handels best as we all know a good set of 165s on 12s will outhandel 13s with any tyre combo.

So should I leave my Cooper with factory Mini Lights and GP Yokos ( 165 ) and group works arches.....or...go with sportspack and deep dish spilt rims ?

Thanks all.
Garth

Looks are very much a personal thing. So only take advice on which performs better (which you already know).

Sportspack arches with 13x7 Superlites do look AWESOME, especially on a Rover!

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The sportspack arches look great with 13" wheels but I would love to bung some wide 10" wheels under those arches.

I like my 12s but would prefer 13s.
You also have a greater choice of tyres with the 13s.

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Too many cars, and too little time.

I think those day the major factor is tyre choice. Very very limited in 12" so for that reason only if i had to do it again i would chose 13 or 10.

But again it's my opinion!!!!

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Arches and wheel combo is important.
The other day I took the 12" superlights and 145 pizza cutters off and
fitted some 13s and 175 rubbers.
Didn't even bother to take it for a drive, the supers looked heaps better, so back on they went.

13 inch tyres are statring to be a problem, trying to get 175/50/13 is hard, Sime,Bridgestone,Pirelli etc etc don't bring them into the country anymore.


Doogie

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I won Hay once, here's the pic to prove it..


Hay, it's not about the car, it's not about the venue, it's about the people that come here. Peter Dwyer, Mayor of Hay NSW.

the mini places that sell the wheels should have the tyres too?

13's look better,
12's are more practical

13's will corner faster
but 12's will have nicer handling and ride

If want to have a couple of sets for looks and for handling then you have to remember that to run deep dish 13's you will have to cut the front arches bigger - something to consider if you want to swap to 12's later

check out the link at the bottom and see what you think.

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matey,my wifes 64 cooper has 13 superlites but with low profile sime tyres,so actually only the same size as 12s,well ok little bit bigger,only draw back is that the steering is very direct and tends to follow every groove in the road.i think this is due to minimal sidewall flex...cheers andy

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First you get the money,then you get the power,then you get the Mini.

Hi Garth!
For my money it's the Sportspack arches and the 13x7"s.
There's just something about the Rover body shape that really suites the larger wheels and those great bubbly flares.
Rog.

Thanks very much for taking the time for your opinions. My car looks very period with the works style arches and after researching them, apparently they are a dealer fitted option in Japan. Unlike the UK where all S.P.Is were fitted with plastic nasty arches. So due to the rarity of the car one side of me figures it would be better to just get it back in show condition and standard spec but the other part of me things.....bugger it, lets just go for it ! Either way i can only see it appreciating in value.

Out of interest, what would a fair price be to pay for my genuine Rover Minilights with new ( less than 200ks ) GP 165 Yokos and works arches and trim ?? maybe this will influence me
in making the choice.

Thanks Guys.
Garth
93` Cooper

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Its not the size that matters.........
Rover Mini Cooper 1993 spi - current
Rover Mini Cooper 1998 ( Tahti Blue/white)
Rover Mini Cooper 1992 ( Brg),1987 Mayfair

for me the chopping of the guards would be the issue, and i wouldnt chop a car in good condition.

convert your brakes to 7.5" and put some 10"s on

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did I tell you that I won a trophy?